COMMENTARIES

18 Jul 2022

Can the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Derail Southeast Asia’s Decarbonisation Efforts?

Mirza Sadaqat Huda

The commodities supply crunch can disrupt Southeast Asia’s goal of attaining net-zero targets in the next few decades. While regional countries have backtracked on climate commitments, the crisis can stimulate long-term strategic responses such as accelerating decarbonisation efforts and developing domestic deposits of critical minerals.

15 Jul 2022

China’s Global Security Initiative Stoking Regional Tensions

David Arase

China has doubled down on its alignment with Russia against the West. This has led to a proliferation of minilaterals and security partnerships aligned with the United States.

ASEAN China-U.S. Relations Indo-Pacific

15 Jul 2022

Will Vietnam’s Richest Man Be Safe?

Le Hong Hiep

Recent speculation that Vietnam’s richest man, Vingroup chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, might get in trouble with the authorities is probably overwrought. Nevertheless, Hanoi’s anti-corruption campaign means Vietnam’s business owners must tread carefully in their search for profit.

Anti-Corruption Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

14 Jul 2022

More Food, Less Fight: Can Jokowi Deliver on Indonesia’s G20 Presidency?

Maria Monica Wihardja

Indonesia's G20 Presidency has set three priorities: global health infrastructure, digital economic transformation and energy transition. However, due to food and fuel price hikes, global food security is rising up the G20 agenda.

Food Security G20 Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy

14 Jul 2022

Can Indonesia Provide Much-needed Leadership in ASEAN?

Joanne Lin

Indonesia's various moves on the foreign policy front suggest that it is preparing for a robust role as ASEAN Chair when it takes over the regional grouping's leadership in 2023. However, its ambitious ideas for revitalising ASEAN will meet headwinds regionally and globally.

ASEAN Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy

13 Jul 2022

The Politics of Nahdliyyin: Uneasy Relations between NU and PKB

Syafiq Hasyim

There are indications that the relationship between Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) is tense. Whether the two entities can kiss and make up could determine how Indonesia’s moderate Muslims vote in the next election.

Indonesia Islam Political Islam

12 Jul 2022

The China Factor and “Bongbong” Marcos’s Foreign Policy

Aaron Jed Rabena

While it is too early for his foreign policy platform to fully emerge, the Philippines' new president will have his hands full in calibrating Manila’s relationships with Washington and Beijing. It is not a foregone conclusion that he will lean strongly in either direction.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics

12 Jul 2022

Booster Shot? Pao Tang Digital Payment and Thailand’s Domestic Consumption

Kanpunnarin Amphunan|Kevin Zhang|Fanzura Banu

Digital payment apps, while facilitating ease of consumption, do not tackle the fundamental issue: limited disposable income of Thais, particularly among those in lower-income groups.

COVID-19 Digitalisation Monetary Policy Thai Economy Thailand

8 Jul 2022

Jokowi’s “Peace Mission” to Europe: Well-intentioned But Fruitless

Ian Storey

Indonesia President Joko Widodo’s visit to Ukraine and Russia was quite remarkable. But the trip achieved little in finding a way out of the current impasse between Kyiv and Moscow.

Armed Conflict Diplomacy Indonesia Russia Ukraine

8 Jul 2022

Climate Change Calls for Less U.S.-China Rivalry and More Renewables

Prapimphan Chiengkul

As climate change threatens to reshape global politics and domestic agendas, Southeast Asian governments would do well to court both Washington and Beijing in their quest for a green transition.

China China-U.S. Relations Climate Change Environment Sustainable Development U.S.